Quotes About Virtue

Let's do right in the eyes of God!

Ambrose says: "Faith is the mother of a good will and doing what is right.

The superior man is firm in the right way, and not merely firm.

To be fond of learning is to be near to knowledge. To practice with vigor is to be near to magnanimity. To possess the feeling of shame is to be near to energy.

Five things constitute perfect virtue: gravity, magnanimity, earnestness, sincerity and kindness.

Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.

Sincerity and truth are the basis of every virtue.

Think no vice so small that you may commit it, and no virtue so small that you may over look it.

The man of wisdom is never in two minds about right and wrong; the man of benevolence never worries about the future; the man of courage is never afraid.

A gentleman considers what is right; The vulgar consider what will pay.

Is there any one maxim which ought to be acted upon throughout one's whole life? Surely the maxim of loving kindness is such: Do not unto others what you would not they should do unto you.

In the presence of a good man, think all the time how you may learn to equal him. In the presence of a bad man, turn your gaze within!

A gentleman is ashamed to let his words outrun his deeds.

What the superior man seeks is in himself. What the mean man seeks is in others.

A man whoTreats his betters as betters,Wears an air of respect,Who into serving father and motherKnows how to put his whole strength,Who in the service of his prince will lay down his life,Who in intercourse with friends is true to his word—others may say of him that he still lacks education, but I for my part should certainly call him an educated man.

Moral force never dwells in solitude; it will always bring neighbors.

Imperturbable, resolute, tree-like, slow to speak—such a one is near to Goodness.

Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.

Tzu-chang asked Master K'ung about Goodness. Master K'ung said, He who could put the Five into practice everywhere under Heaven would be Good. Tzu-chang begged to hear what these were. The Master said, Courtesy, breadth, good faith, diligence, and clemency.

Neither the knight who has truly the heart of a knight nor the man of good stock who has the qualities that belong to good stock will ever seek life at the expense of Goodness; and it may be that he has to give his life in order to achieve Goodness.

Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.

To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.

The object of the superior man is truth.

Goodness is more to the people than water and fire. I have seen men lose their lives when "treading upon" water and fire; but I have never seen anyone lose his life through "treading upon" Goodness.